LINCOLN COUNTY is bounded on the north by the counties of Marshall,
Bedford, and Moore; on the east by Moore and Franklin; on the south by
the State of Alabama; and on the west by Giles County. It lies almost wholly
within the central basin of Middle Tennessee. The geological situation
of the county is about equally divided between the siliceous group of the
lower Carboniferous formation, and the Nashville group of the Silurian
formation. On the line of railroad may be seen large quantities of black
shale, which is so impregnated with petroleum or bitumen that it will sustain
for a month a fire when kindled on it. This black shale is also rich in
sulphuret of iron, by the decomposition of which copperas and alum are
formed. It easily disintegrates upon exposure and is valueless except for
the manufacture of the salts mentioned. Many of the limestone rocks are
but aggregations of fossil remains. A few miles east of Fayetteville is
a quarry where a very fair article of reddish variegated marble is found.
This marble is sometimes injured by particles of iron pyrites. The county
is divided into two almost equal parts by the Elk River, with which its
numerous tributaries affords it excellent water facilities. The streams
which enter this river from the north are Bradshaw Creek, Swan Creek, Cane
Creek, Norris Creek, Mulberry Creek, Roundtree Creek, Tucker Creek and
Farris Creek. Those from the south are Shelton Creek, Duke Creek, Stewart
Creek, Wells Creek, Coldwater Creek, and Kelley Creek. Between Elk River
and the Alabama line is a belt of high land which is the watershed between
Elk River and the Tennessee. This watershed embraces a strip about eight
miles wide and includes nearly one-third of the county. It is an exceedingly
level high plateau and is not well drained. The sub-soil a pale yellowish
clay porous and leachy except in swamps where the clay is bluish. However,
a few spots are found with a good red clay subsoil, and when this is found,
lands are rated higher. No limestone is seen on this plateau and the main
vegetation is wild growth.

The remainder of the county comprises spacious valleys, alternating
with productive hills and ridges. Upon some of the hills however, the loose
limestone lies in such abundance as to preclude cultivation. The valleys
of Elk River and Cane Creek will average a mile in width, and the latter
is probably fifteen miles long. The land in these two valleys is as productive
as any in the State. Many knolls near Elk River are upraised alluvium.
An abundance and a general variety of timber grows in the county. It is
mainly of the following varieties: Linn, Buckeye, hickory, poplar, box
elder, black walnut, wild cherry, black locust, chestnut, beech, gum, dogwood,
ironwood, horn beam, sugar tree, hackberry, cedar and elm.

As early as 1784 land explorers passed through this section, and some
surveys were made and grants issued prior to 1790. North Caroline grants
for land in this country were issued to John Hodge, Robert Walker and Jesse
Comb in 1793. There are also land grants recorded in the office of Lincoln
County Register, bearing date of 1794, to the following persons: William
Smith, Elizabeth W. Lewis, Ezekiel Norris, William Edmonson, Alexander
Green, Thomas Perry, Thomas Edmonson, Mathew Buchanan, Mathew McClure,
Andrew Green and John Steele. In the spring of 1806 James Bright, at the
head of a surveying party, passed where Fayetteville now stands, striking
Elk River near the mouth of Nelson Creek. He found a very rank growth of
cane and occasionally discovered Indian trails. Near Fayetteville he found
a deposit of periwinkle and muscle shells, giving evidence of an Indian
village site, and by some it is supposed that this was the village in which
De Soto camped through the winter of 1540-41: This supposition has recently
been strengthened by the finding of a coin bearing the inscription of the
Caesars.

It is impossible to tell who first settled within the present bounds
of Lincoln County. The first settlers are now all in their graves and many
have no descendants in the county.. In the fall of 1806 Ezekiel Norris
settled on his grant of 1,280 acres of land at the mouth of Norris Creek,
and this creek is all that now bears his name in the county. He was a shrewd
man. Being led to donate 100 acres of land for the county seat under the
false representation that other parties had made the same offer, he afterward
sued the county and recovered $700 for the land. He was probably the first
permanent white settler in the county.

James Bright also became a citizen of the county, and many deeds are
recorded transferring land from him to other parties. For twenty-five years
he was clerk of the circuit court and was clerk and master of the chancery
court for a term of years. John Greer, a very wealthy man, settled near
the mouth of Cane Creek on his large tract of land. He took interest in
organizing the county and in conducting the public affairs afterward He
was once general of the militia. He erected a valuable mill for those days
on Elk River, two miles from Fayetteville.

Joseph Greer settled on his vast domain on Cane Creek near Petersburg.
He was a giant in stature, standing six feet seven inches and well built
proportionately. He was one of the forty gallant defenders of Watauga Station
in 1769. He was also a hero of King s Mountain, and it was he who bore
the news of that splendid victory to Congress, then sitting in Philadelphia.
He dressed in the style of the old aristocratic Virginia gentleman. Thomas
Leonard, Hugh M. Blake, Jesse Riggs, Peter Luna, James Blakemore, Capt.
William Crunk and Ezekial March were also settlers on Cane Creek in the
first and second decades of this century. Crunk and Blakemore were noted
for their social qualities, and dances were frequent at their homes. On
Swan Creek, N. G. Pinson, Joel Pinson and Wright Williams were prominent
first cane cutters, and men who bore their share of the load in administering
public affairs. In what is now embraced in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Civil
Districts the first settlements were made by James McCormick, John Anderson,
Henry Taylor and Richard Wyatt. On Norris Creek early homes were made by
Fielden MacDaniel, Moses Hardin, William Edmonson, John Ray, George Cunningham,
Samuel Todd, Isaac Congo, ____ Jenkins and ____ Parks. On Mulberry Creek
were John J. Whittaker, a good and prominent man; John Morgan, grandfather
of Hon. John M. Bright, Brice M. Garner, who soon removed to Fayetteville,
and Gen. William Moore. Others were the several Whitakers, Hardy Holman,
William Brown, Enoch Douthat, the Waggoners and Isaac Sebastian.

Other settlements on Norris Creek were made prior to 1810 by Ebenezer
McEwen, Robert Higgins, Amos Small and Philip Fox. It is said that Davy
Crockett also lived in the vicinity of the waters of Mulberry, in the eastern
part of the county, in 1809-10.

In Fayetteville James Bright, who is mentioned above, was one of the
most prominent first settlers. James Buchanan, Francis Porterfield, Brice
M. Garner, John P. McConnell, Robert C. Kennedy, Benjamin Clements and
many others, made up the first citizens of the town. Alexander Beard settled
near Fayetteville, south of the river. He has a large body of land, but
lost a great portion of it in confirming his title, which, among many other
North Carolina grants, was contested. Philip Koonce settled between Shelton
Creek and Duke Creek in 1807 or 1808, and near by him, on Shelton Creek,
settled Henry Kelso, about the same time. Tunstall Gregory settled on the
waters of Shelton Creek, and John Duke on Duke Creek. Michael, Rolinson
was one of the first settlers on Coldwater Creek; but an old man, named
Abbot, lived in that part of the county five years, before he knew any
one else lived within one hundred miles of him, so says one who vouches
for the truth of it. A great many settlements were made prior to 1810,
on the waters of Coldwater, but names can not be obtained. A man named
Peyton Wells was the first to make a home in the vicinity of Wells Hill.
He kept a noted ordinary or tavern. A man named Harper was the first to
settle on the branch that now bears his name. Joseph Dean and William Todd
soon became his neighbors.

The southeastern part of the county was sparsely settled along in the
twenties, but the barrenness of the soil has deterred many from locating
there.

Doubtless many others grants were issued, the records of which are lost.
Many of the above persons settled here before obtaining their grants, and
some who obtained grants did not permanently settle, and even some were
speculators who never lived in the county. On account of the climate and
the fertile soil settlers were attracted to Lincoln County, and in 1833
it had a population of 10,788 free white persons. Since then parts of the
county have been formed into other counties. In 1880 the population was
26,960.

Among the oldest persons now living in the county and who have been
in the county since its pioneer days, are Hon. John M. Bright, Rev. J.
W. Holman and C.A. French of Fayetteville, and Hugh M. Blake and Joseph
Gill of Petersburg . Early pioneers found it no trival matter to develop
their farms and raise their families. Not only was farming to be developed,
but milling, merchandising, schools and churches, all required attention.
However, these people were happy in their condition, and various were their
amusements. Fayetteville, Petersburg and Arnold s Grocery (now Smithland)
were noted places for settlement of all grudges in pummelling fights. The
lookers-on enjoyed this very much, and it was their duty to see fair play.
No weapons or missiles were to be used, and it was not fair to bite. In
Fayetteville was a grocery, in which fighting was such a common occurrence
that it was known as the war office, Militia musters were big days for
the people.

Grist-mills were erected on the creeks and on Elk River, and there were
several horse-mills in the county. To these horse-mills each man took his
own horse or horses, and hitched them to the sweep to turn the mill while
his grist was grinding. The water-mills were more economical, that is,
they needed no horse power.

Joel Yowell, an early citizen of Petersburg, had a large horse mill
two miles from Petersburg, with a hand-bolting machine attached. Jesse
Riggs and Thomas Leonard also had mills of this kind. Leonard and Yowell
had wheat threshers attached to their mills, and Leonard also had a cotton-gin
attached. However, threshing was mostly done by tramping it out.

In 1811 the county court granted Elias Lunsford permission to build
a saw mill on Mulberry Creek. This mill was built the following year. In
1814 David ; . Monroe built a grist-mill on the west fort of Cane Creek.
Francis Finchee built a grist-mill in 1815. In 1820 Nathaniel B Binkingham
built a mill on Cane Creek on a tract of school land.

Taverns were numerous, and were situated in all parts of the county
without regard to towns. Ephraim Parham, Vance Greer, William Cross, Brice
M. Garner and John Kelley obtained tavern license in 1811. Collins Leonard,
Jesse Riggs, Cornelius Slater, John D. Spain, John P. McConnell, Elisha
Boyles, William Garrett, George Stobah, C. R. Milborn, David Cobb, Joseph
Dean, John Parks, William Smith, Walter Kinnard, Enoch Douthat, John H.
Zevilly, John Houston, John Parks, Thomas Rountree and William Mitchell
were other tavern keepers in the teens. These taverns were also know as
ordinaries, houses of entertainment , etc.

Elk River was crossed by means of ferries. Ezekiel Norris had one of
the first ferries on the river. William P. Anderson established a ferry
at the mouth of Farris Creek in 1820, and Andrew Hannah, in 1822, established
one at Hannah Ford.

Produce was marketed by means of flat-boats carrying it out of Elk River
and down to New Orleans, and by wagons to Nashville. The very earliest
merchants obtained their goods mainly from Baltimore, and brought them
here by wagons from that city. Estill & Garner were experienced flat-boatmen.
They took out boats each years, and returned on foot from New Orleans.
At first cotton was not raised here to any extent, and that article was
obtained in Alabama and freighted by wagons. Scouting Indians frequented
these first settlements, but very few depredations were committed by them.
It is handed down by reliable tradition that three men, whose names were
Taylor, Anderson and Reed were scalped by the Indians while out searching
for a horse. Another incident occurred wherein the Indians forced their
way into a house where a woman was making soap. The woman had secreted
herself behind the door with a gourd full of boiling soap, and upon their
entrance she anointed the dirty red-skins with telling effect, causing
them to flee for cooler parts.

Lincoln County was created by an act of the Legislature in 1809. The
following is the act so far as it relates to establishment of the county:
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A COUNTY SOUTH OF BEDFORD, TO BE KNOWS BY THE NAME
OF LINCOLN.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Tennessee,
That Lincoln County shall be laid off and established within the following
bounds, to wit: Beginning on the northeast corner of Giles County and extending
south with the eastern boundary line of Giles County to the southern boundary
line of the State; thence with that line east to a point due south of the
mouth of the mouth of Cove Spring Creek; thence north to the southern boundary
line of Bedford County, and thence, with the said line, westwardly, to
the beginning.

Sec. 2. Be it enacted, that John Whitaker, Sr. Wright Williams,
Eli Garret, Littleton Duty and Jesse Woodruff be, and they are hereby,
appointed commissioners with full power to procure by purchase, or otherwise,
100 acres of land on or near the north bank of Elk River, as near the center
of the county, east and west, as a proper situation will admit of, and
at all events not more than two miles from said center.

Sec. 3. Be it enacted, that the said commissioners, immediately
after procuring the aforesaid 100 acres of land, shall cause a town to
be laid off thereon, reserving near the center thereof a public square
of two acres, on which the court house and stocks shall be built, likewise
reserving a lot in any other portion of said town for the purpose of erecting
a jail; and the said town, when so laid off, shall be named Fayetteville.

Sec. 6. Be it enacted, that the court of pleas and quarter sessions,
for the county of Lincoln shall be on the fourth Monday in the months of
February, May, August and November annually, at the house of Brice M. Garret
until a place is provided for holding the said court in the town of Fayetteville.

Sec. 11. Be it enacted, that the militia of the county shall
compose the thirty-ninth Regiment and be attached to the Fifth Brigade.

Sec. 14. Be it enacted, that this act shall be in force from
the first day of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ten.

The county thus established assumed the form of a rectangle in outline,
but in 1835 a part of the territory now constituted in Marshall County
was taken from the original Lincoln County, and in 1872 Moore County was
created, embracing a part of Lincoln.

The first County court met Monday, February 26, 1810, at the house of
Brice M. Garner, and the following men were qualified justices of the peace
by Oliver Williams, Esq. of Williamson County: Thomas L. Trotter, Wright
Williams, William Smith, John Whitaker, Sr. William Dickson, William Roundtree,
Eli Garrett, Philip Koonce, Henry Kelso, Robert Higgins, Samuel Barns,
Littleton Duty, James Stallard, Jesse Woodruff and Nathan G. Pinson. Philip
Koonce was appointed chairman and Thomas H. Benton was made clerk pro
tem., and entered the first minutes upon record. County officers were
elected, an allowance of $1 each for wolf scalps was made, stock marks
were recorded, constables were sworn in, justices were appointed to take
the tax. etc. At this term 2,662 acres of taxable land were reported. Harvey
Holman, Wright Williams, Littleton Duty, Eli Garrett and John Whitaler
were appointed to locate the county seat. They bought 100 acres of land
of Ezeckiel Norris and plated the town of Fayetteville.

At the May term William Allen was fined $3 for profane swearing, and
the August term taxes laid as follows: 6 + cents on each 100 acres of land:
6 + cents on each poll {white and black}, and 12 + cents on each stallion.
Ferriage rates across Elk River were established at the following: Wagon,
team and driver, 50 cents; cart or other two-wheel carriage, 25 cents;
man and horse, 6 + cents, footman, 6 + cents , and live stock 2 cents per
head. Tavern rates were made: Good whisky per half pint, 12 + cents; good
peach brandy, 12 +; good West India rum, 25 cents; good diet, 25 cents;
good lodging, 6+ cents; good stableage with hay or fodder for 12 hours,
25 cents; good corn per gallon, 6+ cents. Brice M. Garner was allowed $15
for the use of his house for the holding of court, and $30 for furnishing
county and record books. Jurors were allowed 50 cents each per day for
service. At this term a man entered court with an ear bleeding from being
bitten off in a fight. He had the incident recorded at length to avoid
the imputation of having been cropped under the penal laws. The clerk charged
the usual fee for recording a hog mark. At a term in 1811 two men were
each fined $125 for not attending as witnesses in an important civil suit.

The first court house built was only for temporary use, until another
could be erected. It was 18x20 feet in the clear, built with round logs,
and covered with a good cabin roof. It had a seat for the jury, court and
a resting place for the feet of the court, all of good plank. It was built
in 1811 on one corner of the Public Square, by James Fuller, for $35. The
first jail was built in 1810, with logs not less than twelve inches in
diameter and ten feet long. The walls, floor and loft were all of logs
of the same description. In November 1811, a contract to built a new two-story
brick court house on the Square, was taken by Micajah and William McElroy,
for $3,995. The court afterward allowed $750 extra for the work, thus making
the total cost of the building $4,745. This court house was torn down in
1873, and the present one was erected by William T. Moyers, James N. Allbright
and William E. Turley, for $29,579,30. J. H. Holman, H. C. Cowan and John
Y. Gill composed the committee to report the plans, specifications and
estimates for the building; Theodore Harris superintended the work. The
second jail that was built, was a two-story brick building, lined on the
inside with logs, the logs being protected by sheet iron. It was built
about the same time as the court house. The present jail was built in 1868,
and by contract was to cost not more than $23,000. It is of stone.

The stone bridge across Elk River is one of the best structures of the
kind in the State. It was built in 1861 at a cost of about $40,000. It
is of limestone, contains six elliptical arches, and is 450 feet in its
entire length. The roadway is flanked on either side by a stone wall three
feet high and two feet wide.

The civil divisions of the county were first designated by the companies
of militia in the respective parts of the county, i.e., the civil officers
of the county were elected from the various militia companies, as they
now are from the civil districts. In 1835 the county was laid off into
twenty-five civil districts. The lines have been changed from time to time,
but still the same number is retained. The school districts have not always
coincided with the civil districts, but are now one and the same.

Among the first acts of the county was one to provide for the poor,
and in 1815 a special tax was assessed for the county poor. About 1826
a poor farm was purchased and a poor house erected, the supervision of
which was put under three commissioners, regularly appointed by the court.
The poor are still cared for in this manner.

At different times agricultural societies have been organized, but have
as often proved to be institutions of short life. This first one was organized
in 1824.

In the year 1858 Fayetteville was connected with the main line of the
Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad by the branch built from Decherd to
Fayetteville, and in 1882 the narrow gauge road was built from Columbia
to Fayetteville. The main support of these roads in the agricultural product,
which in turn brings in articles of general merchandise. Pikes connect
Fayetteville with Lynchburg and Shelbyville, and extend from Fayetteville
for several miles in all directions.

The political cast of the county is strongly Democratic. In 1884 the
vote for president and governor stood as follows: Cleveland, 2,382; Blaine,
890; Bate, 2,220; Reid 941.

Financially old Lincoln is on a strong foundation. She has first class
public buildings, good general improvements, with a firm backing of a good
agricultural soil. The tax for 1884 shows a total valuation of taxable
property of $3.564,340; number of acres of land, 345,722, valued al $2,628,780.
The State tax for 1886 is $10.192; county tax, $12,692; School tax, $16,257;
road tax, $2,393; making a total tax of $41,535. These figures include
the estimate on railroad and telegraph property valued at $166,890. In
1885 there was reported in the county 9,325 horses and mules, 14,090 cattle,
11,969 sheep, 42,415 hogs, 1.070 bushels barley, 213 bushels buckwheat,
1,252,919 bushels corn, 37,908 bushels oats, 1,641 bushels rye and 275,463
bushels wheat.

Upon the bench of the circuit court sat Judge Thomas Stewart to hold
the first court in the county. Then came Judge Kennedy for a time, who
was succeeded by Judge Edmund Dillahunty, who held for a number of years.
A. J. Marchbanks was the next judge and continued on the bench until the
war. Gov. Brownlow then appointed N. A. Patterson, who became the laughing
stock for the lawyers who attended court. He was deficient in the organs
of hearing, and very eccentric in nature. Then came W.P. Hickerson, who
did not serve a full term. He resigned and was succeeded by Judge J. J.
Williams, who was afterward elected to fill the term now closing. For many
years Erwin J. Frierson was the attorney-general, and he was superseded
in turn by A F. Goff, James H. Thomas, Joseph Carter, George J. Stubblefield,
J. H. Holman, J. D. Tillman and A. B. Woodard, the present incumbent of
the office. The court in early days was engaged mainly in trying petty
offenses, and not until 1825 was there a sentence of death pronounced.
Duncan Bonds had murdered Felix Grundy, and was found guilty. He took an
appeal to the Supreme Court of the State. A jury in 1828 rendered a verdict
of guilty upon a charge of murder committed by a man named McClure, upon
D.C. Hall. He received the sentence of death, and was hung in the spring
of 1829. About 1847 a negro named Bill Moore was sentenced and hung for
an attempted rape. In 1862 John George was sentenced to be hung for murdering
Hosea Towry. He escaped from jail. Two years previous to this, in 1860,
a negro, Alf, was hung for murdering his master, William Stevens. The whipping
post and pillory often received the victims of the judge s sentence for
the various offenses, and men were imprisoned for debt.

The bar of Lincoln County is one that ranks high in Tennessee. Not only
are the members at present eminent and able lawyers, but from the first
Lincoln County has given a home to many able men. At the first meeting
of the county court was present Thomas H. Benton. He drew up the minutes
of the first session of that court, and was the county s legal advocate
on organization. He resided in Fayetteville for a number of years He then
arose to adorn the nation s highest legislative council, of which he was
a member for thirty-two years, and was truly an eminent man of America.
Contemporary with him was L.P. Montgomery, widely, known as the brave Capt.
Montgomery, who began the practice of law in 1810, and who fell at the
battle of Horse-Shoe. In 1810 George B. Baulch, George Coalter, William
White, Joseph Phillips, Marmaduke Williams, Matthew D. Wilson and Alfred
Harris were permitted to practice in the county. In 1811 Eli Tolbert, Samuel
Acres and Charles Manton were allowed to practice. George C. Witt and W.
S. Fontine also practiced here in that year. Hon. C. C. Clay, of Huntsville,
Ala. attended this court as early as 1811, as also did John McKinney and
John Tolbert. Other lawyers from adjoining counties visited this court
professionally, among whom were Judge Haywood, and later, Nathan Green,
James Campbell, William Gilchrist, Oliver B. Hays, Lunsford M. Bramlett
and Thomas M. Fletcher. Other prominent early lawyers were James Fulton,
Samuel W. Carmack, Charles Boyles, William C. Kennedy, William P. Martin,
William M. Inge and John H. Morgan. John H. Morgan, after a number of years
in Fayetteville, moved to Memphis, thence to Mississippi, and was elected
to the bench in that State. He was the father of Hon. J. B. Morgan, of
Mississippi. William P. Martin moved from Fayetteville to Columbia, Tenn,
and there was a judge for many years.

Kennedy also removed to Columbia, where he too was elected to the bench.
He became the owner of quite a number of slaves, which he emancipated and
transported to the African colony of Liberia. W. M. Inge was for many years
associated in law with L. W. Carmack at Fayetteville. He served one term
in Congress from the district which then included Lincoln County, and afterward
made his home in Alabama.

Carmack was born in 1802; was an able and learned lawyer. In 1832 he
moved to Florida, although retaining a summer home in Fayetteville. He
arose to prominence in Florida, and died in 1849.

James Fulton has been styled the father of the Fayetteville. He located
in Fayetteville in 1820, when twenty-two years of age. He filled one term
as attorney-general in early life, but devoted his time to the prosecution
of his profession rather than pursue official honors. He was an able lawyer
and a highly respected citizen. His death occurred in 1856.

Previous to 1825 the following were permitted to practice law in the
county: E. B. Robertson. William Kelly, Tryon Yancey, besides those above
mentioned. Others were W.D. Thompson and Henry B. Ely, 1827; David Eastland,
1829; John R. Greer and Robert Inge. 1832; Andrew A. Kincannon and Elliott
H. Fletcher, 1834; George W. Jones, 1839. Mr. Jones was born in 1806, and
came to this county when young. He was three times elected to the Legislature.
For sixteen years he was a member of Congress, and was in the Senate once.
In his congressional career he received the nickname of the watch dog of
the treasury . He was also a member of the Confederate Congress and of
the constitutional convention of 1870. He was a very able and popular man,
filling many of the county offices and taking especial pride in his county
s welfare. His death occurred in 1884. He devoted no time to the practice
of law, but lived almost wholly in political circles. Other prominent early
attorneys of the county were Felix G. McConnell, who went to Alabama and
afterward served in the United States Congress, committing suicide while
a member of that body; W.T. Ross, a very able advocate; John C. Rodgers,
who died young, but was an able lawyer; and Archibald Yell, who was a man
of ability and temper. He and Hon. G. W. Jones once engaged in a physical
combat before the county court, of which Jones was chairman. Yell threw
a book at Jones, and Jones immediately returned the salute by a personal
presentation with knife in hand. By the interference of other parties,
no injury was done. Yell commanded a regiment in the Mexican war and was
killed at the battle of Buena Vista.

The influence of W. H. Stephens, R. G. Payne, W. F. Kercheval, F. B.
Fulton and J. W. Newman, has been felt at the bar. Since 1840 Robert Farquharson,
who was prominent in the county, but did not give much time to law; David
P. Hurley , who was a member of the bar but a short time, and Jas. M. Davidson,
an able young lawyer, have held licenses to practice in these courts. Others
were D.B. Cooper, who died when yet young; David W. Clark, who pursued
the profession but a short time, but was an influential man; J. R. Chilcoat,
who was the first county judge; Thomas Kercheval, now the mayor of Nashville;
Ed E. Bearden, O. P. Bruce and Thomas B. Kercheval.

Hon, John M. Bright is the oldest member of the bar now living, and
probably acquired the most prominence in political circles. He was born
in Fayetteville about 1818, and has ever since made this his home. He is
able as an attorney, and a prominent member of the Legislature of Tennessee
before the war. In 1880 he retired from Congress, where he had served for
several years. J. B. Lamb is one of the oldest and most successful attorneys
of the county, and has been a member of the Legislature. He is the senior
member of the law firm of Lamb & Tillman, of which Col. J. D. Tillman
is the other member. He is a son of the Hon. Lewis Tillman, late of Bedford
County. He was lieutenant-colonel (afterward colonel} of the Forty-first
Regiment of Tennessee Infantry in the late war. J. H. Holman has been a
member of the bar since 1866, and is widely known for his ability. J. H.
Burnham is a good speaker, and was on the Hancock electoral ticket. He
is now making the race for chancellor of this district. N. P. Carter is
the county judge and a practicing lawyer. A. B. Woodard, the attorney-general,
was reared in Fayetteville, the son of R. S. Woodard, who was a prominent
man of the county. M. W. Woodard, also a son of R. S. Woodard, is a practicing
attorney, and has been identified with public offices of the county. Joe
G. Carrigan and G. W. Higgins are also able attorneys, and have both been
in the Legislature. G. B. Boyles is an attorney at law, and now fills the
office of recorder at Fayetteville. Others are Col. N. J, George, who was
a lieutenant-colonel in Turney s First Tennessee; A. M. Solomon, an ex-member
of the Legislature; R. L. Bright, S. W. Carmack, C. C. McKinney, F. P.
Taylor, W. B. Lamb, John Routt and George H. Newman.

The sobriquet of The Banner County, so applied to Lincoln, appropriately
represents its attitude matters. Hardly had the first few settlers begun
to call this their home before Jackson s troops for the war of 1812 asked
and received recruits from the county, among whom were Gen William Moore,
who commanded a company; Charles McKinney, S. S. Buchanan, William B. McLaughlin,
Frank Smith and others as many as fifteen altogether. These troops made
Fayetteville their rendezvous, and upon starting upon the campaign they
marched out 2,500 strong and crossed Elk River, near where the stone bridge
now is. These men served throughout the war, participating in the battle
of New Orleans. A patriotic response was again made to the call for troops
in 1836. A full company, commanded by Capt.---Tipps, entered from Lynchburg
, and another company was raised by Capt. George A. Wilson, but was not
mustered into service. However, Capt. Wilson raised a spy company of about
fifty men and entered the service. The following are remembered as members
of this company: Augustus Steed. Lieutenant; W. H. Bright, bugleman; William
Robertson, David F. Robertson, Henderson Robertson, C. B. Rodgers and Oliver
Garland. These were from Fayetteville and the immediate vicinity, while
many from the various parts of the county also enlisted in this company,
as well as in that of Capt. Tipps. By the act organizing the county the
militia of Lincoln was made the Thirty-ninth Regiment and was attached
to the Fifth Brigade. For many years the militia musters were largely attended,
and amusements invariably attended them.

In the spring of 1846 a company of eighty-three men, known as the Lincoln
Guards, was raised at Fayetteville for the Mexican war . It was officered
as follows: Captain, Pryor Buchanan; first lieutenant, A. S. Fulton; second
lieutenant, John V. Moyers; third lieutenant, C. A. McDaniel; orderly sergeant,
William T. Slater. The company left Fayetteville March 31, 1846, and participated
in the battle of Monterey, where several members were killed.

Early in the spring of 1861, and after the fall of Fort Sumter, and
the call of President Lincoln for troops from Tennessee, war was the only
thing discussed in Lincoln County. Old gray haired men, devoted wives,
sisters and mothers talked of war until the whole atmosphere was full of
it. Children after listening to the discussions and imagining that they
could almost see the blood flow were afraid to go to bed, and were often
afflicted with nightmare. Little tow-headed boys were shouting the battle
whoop from every cabin. Old saws, hoes, etc., were soon upon forge or held
to the grindstone to make the large, ugly, ill-shaped bowie knives. Almost
every man carried two of these knives which were to repel the invasion
in the hand-to-hand conflict which was imagined to be approaching. Public
meetings were almost daily occurrences and fiery speeches were long and
loud. Men, women, and children, of all ages, sizes and colors, went out
to these meetings and joined in the general enthusiasm. Even ladies fell
into the ranks of the drilling companies- even the most refined and intelligent;
willing to part with -sacrifice, if necessary- those most near and dear
to them, were enthusiastic and materially aided in sending forth the grand
array of volunteers.

When the question of separation was submitted to the people, Lincoln
polled 2,892 votes for separation and not one for no separation. However,
even before the State seceded companies were organized and war preparations
were rapidly going on. The first companies raised were four, which composed
a part of Turney s First Tennessee, and one of which was raised principally
in what is now Moore County. The others were officered as follows: Company
G- B. F. Ramsey, captain; John Shackelford, first lieutenant; F. G. Buchanan,
second lieutenant; Thomas Wilson, third lieutenant; and John Thoer, orderly
sergeant. Company K- N. C. Davis, captain; T. J. Sugg, first lieutenant;
Joe Davidson, second lieutenant; J. B. Turney, third lieutenant; John W.
Nelson, first sergeant. Company H- Jacob Cruse, captain; M. V. McLaughlin,
first lieutenant; N. J. George, second lieutenant. These companies left
Fayetteville April 29, 1861, for Winchester, where the regiment was organized.
These companies were with Turney s First Tennessee Confederates from the
first of the war to its close, being in the hottest parts of many of the
great battles of the war.

The field officers of this regiment who were from this county were,
upon organization J. H. Holman, lieutenant-colonel; D. W. Holman, major.
Upon re-organization John Shackelford, lieutenant-colonel; M. V. McLaughlin,
major. These officers were killed at Gaines Mill and their places filled
by N. J. George, lieutenant-colonel, and F. G. Buchanan, major. Dr. C.
B. McGuire was surgeon of the regiment and was afterward brigade surgeon.

While these companies were organizing and going forth to duty, others
were also forthcoming. On May 14, 1861, four other companies left Fayetteville,
and on the same day arrived at Camp Harris, in Franklin County, where they
were mustered into the service of the State on the 17th of the same month
by Colonel D. R. Smythe of Lincoln County. These companies were assigned
to the Eighth Tennessee, under the command of Col. A. S. Fulton, of Lincoln
County. Lincoln County was also represented in this regiment by W. Lawson
Moore, lieutenant-colonel; Chris C. McKinney, adjutant; Dr. G. B. Lester,
assistant surgeon; and David Tucker, chaplain. Company B. known as the
Petersburg Sharp Shooters, was raised at Petersburg, with A.M. Hall as
captain; Chris C. McKinney, first lieutenant; T. W. Bledsoe, second lieutenant;
C. N. Allen, third lieutenant; and N. P. Koonce, orderly sergeant. Company
C was officered as follows: Rane McKinney, captain; N. M. Bearden, first
lieutenant; T. W. Raney, second lieutenant; A. M. Downing, third lieutenant;
and R. D. Hardin, orderly sergeant. It was known as the Camargo Guards.
Company G. Norris Creek Guards, was raised at Norris Creek with George
W. Higgins, captain ; W. C. Griswell, first lieutenant; David Sullivan,
second lieutenant; E. S. N. Bobo, third lieutenant; Joseph G. Carrigan,
orderly sergeant. Company H. Was commanded by W. L. Moore until he was
elected lieutenant-colonel, and was then officered as follows: W. J. Theash,
captain; William Bonner, first lieutenant; T. H. Freeman, third lieutenant;
G. W. Waggoner, first sergeant.

The Eighth Tennessee was one of the two regiments that made the almost
unparalleled Cheat Mountain campaign, enduring those severe privations,
marching through rain day and night, leaving the roads stained with blood
from their feet, and almost starving for want of food. Without blankets
or tents and with very little food, for eight days these troops were undaunted
in their onward march and in their flight for life, but many took sick
and died from exposure and fatigue. Two companies were raised in the western
part of the county and constituted in the Thirty-second Regiment. One of
them was known as the Millville Men: J. J. Finney, captain; W. P. A. George,
first lieutenant; Jno. W. Wright, second lieutenant; Jno. P. McGuire, third
lieutenant; David F. Hobbs, first sergeant. The other was the Swan Creek
Guards: C. G. Tucker, captain; John Roach, first lieutenant; J. T. Pigg,
second lieutenant; H. H. Tucker, third lieutenant; J. S. Finley, first
sergeant. The quartermaster of this regiment was E. S. Wilson, of this
county.

Then came the organization of the Forty-first Tennessee, whose colonel
was Robert Farquharson, of this county, and whose lieutenant-colonel {afterward
colonel} was J. D. Tillman, now of Lincoln, then of Bedford. Lincoln furnished
four companies to this regiment, viz.: One {company C} commanded by Capt.
J. D. Scott, whose lieutenants were B. J. Chafin, J. R. Feeney, and Jacob
Anthony, and afterward commanded by Chafin and Feeney successively; one
from Mulberry {company A} commanded by W. W. James whose lieutenants were
L. Leftwich, Christopher Carrigher and A. D. Johnson; one (knows as Liberty
Guards) commanded by J. H. George; with the following lieutenants: William
Smith, T. D. Griffis and S. A. Hopkins; and one commanded by W. B. Fonville,
whose lieutenants were W. S. Bearden, A. A. Woods and E. R. Bearden. These
companies left Fayetteville about the last days of September, 1861, and
the regiment was organized at Camp Trousdale.

The Forty-fourth Regiment of Tennessee Volunteer Infantry was organized
at Camp Trousdale in November, 1861, with C. A. McDaniel, colonel, and
D. J. Noblett, assistant surgeon, from this county. It also included four
companies from Lincoln; one commanded by C. A. McDaniel, who, upon being
elected colonel, was superseded by T. M. Bell, and he by J. E. Spencer,
with the following lieutenant, Joseph Cunningham, A. B. Rhea, and J. J.
Martin; one by W. A. Rhodes, with J. H. Patterson, Jacob Van Hoozer and
C. K. Moody as lieutenants; one from Shelton Creek, commanded by Capt Smith,
and one from Swan Creek, commanded by Capt. Stiles.

The Forty-fourth was actively engaged in some of the fierce conflicts
of the war. At Shiloh forty-two per cent of those of the regiment actually
in combat were killed and wounded. Afterward this regiment and the Fifty-fifth
Tennessee were consolidated, still retaining the name of the former, and
embracing another company from this county, which was organized in the
latter part of 1861, by W. H. Moore, and embraced in the Fifty-fifth upon
the organization of that regiment. Early in 1862 another company was raised
by Capt. James R. Bright, with R. B. Parks, J. L. Moore and Stephen Loyd,
as lieutenants, and entered an infantry regiment of Kentucky. After the
battle of Shiloh the company was reorganized with W. P. Simpson, captain,
and J. B. Price, T. D. Hill and G. W. Jones, lieutenants. J. L. Moore who
was second lieutenant at its first organization, afterward raised another
company and entered the service.

December 21, 1861, there were twenty-one companies of infantry from
Lincoln County in the service. However, this number included those raised
in Moore County, which was then a part of Lincoln. The company of J. L.
Moore, was probably the last full company of infantry to leave the county
as a company. Recruits were added to the old commands throughout 1862-64.
About September, 1862, Freeman s Battery, which was a part of Hardin s
Artillery, received about fifty members from Lincoln County, only one of
whom was killed in the service. A great many of Forrest s escort were from
this county, probably the majority of the members. Capt. Nathan Boone was
captain of the escort. Other cavalry regiments received members from the
county. Wheeler s First. Tennessee Cavalry was composed of some Lincoln
County boys, as was the Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry and also the Fourth
Tennessee Cavalry.

Including all men in the service from first to last, Lincoln County
furnished nearly 5,000 soldiers. Besides the regular companies of infantry
there were several who entered war in companies from adjoining counties.
This was also case with artillery men and cavalry men. At all times recruits
were entering the old commands.

At the organization of Capt. Higgins company of the Eighth Tennessee,
the ladies of Norris Creek and vicinity presented the boys with a beautiful
large flag, the presentation being made by Miss Sallie Landess in an eloquent
and stirring address. On the 25th of August, 1861, a magnificent flag was
presented to the Eighth Regiment by the ladies of Lincoln County, accompanied
by an inspiring address from the Hon. John M. Bright. On the flag were
written in large gold letters the words, Patience, Courage, Victory. Many
times did the ladies send stores of provisions, containing delicacies for
the sick, clothing and all kinds of hospital and camp supplies. Much of
the inspiration that enabled the troops to remain in the field with sickness,
danger and deprivations, came from the encouragement received from the
ladies at home.

The Federals first entered Fayetteville April 9, 1862, causing a sudden
suspension of business. They withdrew after about two months stay, and
again occupied the town in the spring of 1863, remaining until 1865. The
court house was used as a stable for the horses a part of the time, and
for the protection of troops at other times. It was surrounded by a bomb
proof wall about six feet high, built of brick. The whole county was almost
impoverished by the foraging armies passing to and fro. Sherman s whole
army, on its march from Memphis to Chattanooga, passed through Fayetteville
and crossed Elk River on the stone bridge, which, affording an excellent
passage over the river, caused many of the passing armies, both Federals
and Confederates, to pass through here. While Fayetteville was occupied
by the Federals, business was at a standstill and many depredations were
committed. When requested to do anything the citizens did not wait for
time to argue points. The depredations, however, were mostly committed
by Brixie s band of robbers, who in the main, claimed to be Yankees. Among
the most dastardly acts, which the people suffered, was the murder of Judge
J. R. Chilcoat. Afterward John Massey, a Confederate soldier, who had returned
home {together with two other men named Pickett and Burrow}, was brutally
murdered- riddled with bullets. Some buildings were burned county records
were destroyed and, of course, property was confiscated. Guerrillas did
not injure the people to any great extent.

The war over, the soldiers laid down their arms to return to their avocations
of life. They found their farms in a deplorable condition. Their stock
was gone, fences burned, buildings going to rack or entirely destroyed.
The cost of the war to Lincoln County can hardly be estimated. However,
she has now almost recovered from the effects, the hard times and desperate
conflicts are remembered as in the past, and all unite in one grand army
for the upbuilding of the welfare of the country.

There was a differences of opinion as to the expediency of the location
of the county seat where it was located. One-hundred acres of land was
obtained of Ezekiel Norris, and a town of 128 lots was platted. On September
5 and 6, a sale of lots was made, the following, among others, being purchasers:
Potter & Wilson, 11; Eleanor Buchanan, 1; John Buchanan, 2; Charles
Porter, 2; Francis Ross, 1; Robert Ramsey, 1; Joseph Sumner, 2; John Kelly,
2; William Whitaker, 2; Hugh Blake, 2; Joseph Commons, 2; Walter Kinnard,
2; Rice M. Garner, 2; Peter Looney, 1; Joseph Jenkens, 2; Joseph McMillan,
1; James Bright, 2; John Angel, 1; James Cochran, 1; Stephen Chinnault,
1; Jacob Van Zand, 1; The records in the register s office are not all
preserved, hence, the names of all the first purchasers can not be obtained.

The first newspaper in Fayetteville was the Fayetteville Correspondent,
edited and published by David Augustine Hays; only a few numbers were issued.
The Village Messenger was then published from March 11, 1823 to
July 18, 1828, by Ebenezer Hill. In 1829 the Western Cabinet was commenced
by Ebenezer Hill and John H. Laird. Mr. Hill published one volume of Haywood
s reports in his office. He published Hill s Almanac for a great many years,
making it a part of the standard literature of southern Tennessee and northen
Alabama. As early as 1833 the Independent Yeoman was published by
Joe B. Hill, afterward by Joe B. & E. Hill. Then it was purchased by
W. L. & A. H. Berry, and published as the Lincoln Journal, from
1840 to 1848, at which time C. A. French, became the editor ans publisher,
continuing it until the war. In 1840 a Whig paper, the Signal, was
started and issued but a few numbers. After the war the Lincoln County
News was started by Ebenezer Hill, Jr., and continued by W. P. Tolley for
some years. The Fayetteville Express was established in 1873 by
S. H. McCord, was afterward published by McCord & Lloyd, and is now
by Lloyd & Blake. The Fayetteville Observer was established
in 1850, stood the war stroke, and continues to be a thriving paper, edited
and published by N. O. Wallace.

The Lincoln Savings Bank was established in 1870 with a capital of $100.000,
did a seemingly good business, but suspended in 1884, jarring the financial
status of the whole county considerably. The First National Bank was organized
in June, 1873, with a capital stock of $60.000. Its first president was
Hon. George W. Jones. Its present president is Dr. C. B. McGuire; its cashier,
J. R. Feeney.

As early as the year 1824 a Masonic Lodge was established but existed
only a few years. Jackson Lodge, No. 68, F. & A. M. Was chartered October
9, 1828, and now has a membership of over 40. Calhoun Lodge, No. 26, I.
O. O. F., was chartered April 6, 1846, and now has nearly 30 members. Fayetteville
Lodge, No. 181, K. Of H., was established April 1, 1875, and has a membership
at present of nearly 65. Protection Lodge, No. 8. A. O. U. W., began its
existence from charter dated May 2, 1877. Jewel Lodge. No. 59, K. &
L. Of H. Was established April 1, 1879, and has about 60 members. There
are five church edifices in the town, owned respectively by the Cumberland
Presbyterians, Presbyterians, Methodist Episcopal Church South, Christians
and the Protestant Episcopalians. The Missionary Baptists have an organization
but no building. There are four churches for the colored people of the
following denominations: African Methodist Episcopal, Primitive Baptist,
Missionary Baptist and the Cumberland Presbyterian.

About 1815 George L. Leonard settled where Petersburg now is and cleared
up the land there. He put up a cotton-gin, and afterward began the first
mercantile trade of the place by selling small articles of merchandise,
such as thread, etc. Porterfield & Akin established a small store in
1828, and Wm. DeWoody conducted their business. In 1833 they were superseded
by Rowlett & Hill, and soon others followed. Holman & Loyd, Jones
& Yowell, Rives & Hayes and Stone & Reese were merchants before
1840 and all did a large business. Then came a lull in the business tide
of Petersburg instil the war; however, Metcalfe & Son did a good business
during this time, as also did Wynus, Blake & Co., Smith, Blake &
Co. And Fonville & Bledsoe. Since the war the principal merchants have
been W. J. Hamilton, P. B. Marsh & Son, Fogleman & Cummings and
Hall & Hamilton, together with the present business firms. General
merchants-- G. A. Jarvis, Cummings & Bledsoe and B. S. Popflanus, grocers--E.M.
Crawford and L. L. Rebman; W. R. Hanaway, undertaker and furniture dealer;
Rives & Christopher, saddlers and harness-makers; saloons--J. W. King
& Co., F. S. Cummings & Co. And Pack & Byrd; blacksmiths--Alex
Lancaster and George Morrison. J. C. Montgomery has a large frame flouring-mill,
and Dwiggins & Co. Are erecting a fine brick mill. Gillespie Bros.
Do a livery business.

The secret societies are Unity Lodge, No. 84 I. O. O. F., which has
a membership of twenty; Petersburg Lodge, No. 123, was organized in 1846,
and for many years was very strong, but now has only a weak organization;
Petersburg Lodge, No. 607, K. Of H., has a membership of thirteen, and
was organized in 1877. Petersburg has a good school, and five churches
of the following denominations: Methodist Episcopal South, Presbyterian
Cumberland Presbyterian, Missionary Baptist and Christian. It is a chartered
town, but by some the charter is considered a burden. It is situated on
the Duck River Valley Railroad, twelve miles from Fayetteville.

Mulberry began to exist as a village about 1840. Among the merchants
that have transacted business there were Booker Shapard, Drury Conley,
Abner Brady, R. N. Whitaker, W. W. James & Co., Hoots & Logan and
J. & W. H. Reese, previous to the war. Since the resumption of business
after the war have been W. W. James & Co., W. L. Shofner, R. A. &
J. H. Reese, Whitaker & Yates, E. S. Terry and J. G. Reese, the last
two of whom are now in business. Several family groceries, etc., have existed
from time to time. The Mulberry Academy began about 1830, and has become
a noted school. There was once a male and female academy, but it is now
known as the Mulberry Male and Female Academy. There in one Missionary
Baptist Church, one Cumberland Presbyterian Church, one Methodist Episcopal
Church South and one Christian Church. Physicians are G. W. Jones, A. R.
Shadden and S. Dance. Mulberry Lodge, No. 404. F. & A. M., was organized
in 1870, and is in a prosperous condition. It had twelve charter members.
Mulberry Lodge, No. 148, was chartered in 1871 and has only a very weak
organization. The Good Templars have a lodge of about ninety members. There
are two good mills near by. In the village are two blacksmith shops, two
wood-work shops and a cabinet-maker and undertaker.

Boonshill was one of the first postoffices established in the county.
Previous to the war Wood & Daniel, Hudson & Horton and Sumner &
Ewing were merchants there. Since the war have been Buchanan & White,
E. S. Wilson & Co., Swinebroad & Co., Templeton & Son and H.
D. Smith, the present merchants. Physicians have been Dr. John Wood, Dr.
Dunlap, Dr. Porter, Dr. Parks and Dr. Sumner. Stephen Hightown first settled
where Millville now is. Stone & Baird were the first merchants; others
were Frank McLane, Sam Isaacs, Thomas McLaurine, McGuin & Son, McGuire
& Franklin, Ezell & Hudspeth. Since the war have been Ezell &
McGuire, F. L. Ezell, Ally Smith and Finney & Son. Dr. C. B. McGuire
practiced medicine there from 1847 to 1859; others have been Dr. M. P.
Forehand and Dr. G. W. McGuire.

Dellrose was first known as Roosterville. Hog Bruce was the founder
and first merchant. It has only been a village since 1867. D. C. Sherrill
& Co. Are now doing business there. These is a good school. Dr. B.
S. Stone is the physician of the place. Molino postoffice was established
in 1849, by D. C. Hall, the first postmaster and merchant. Since the war,
merchants have been Robert Stewart, James W. Rawls, Joe Montgomery and
J. H. Dale & Co. J. W. Rawls was a blacksmith, and John Hays the present
one. It has a Missionary Baptist Church there, and is located in a good
locality. Howell is a small station on the narrow-gauge railroad, seven
miles from Fayetteville. It was first known as Renfroe Station. Harris
Bros, and George Bros, are merchants. It has a good railroad depot and
a Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Oak Hill is a village nine miles north
of Fayetteville. The postoffice is Norris Creek. H. L. Cole and James Bell
are merchants. It has a good school, a Cumberland Presbyterian Church and
a Missionary Baptist Church. There is also a Masonic lodge of thirty-eight
members-Mount Hebron, No. 344, and a weak lodge I. O. O. F.- Oak Hill,
No. 39. A pike connects Oak Hill with Fayetteville. Stonesborough is a
chartered town and consist of a distillery owned by Stone & Thomas,
and a store and saloon owned by Stone & Patterson. W. J. Landers has
a tan-yard between this place and Oak Hill. Chestnut Ridge is also in the
north part of the county. J. N. Stallings is a merchant. James Freeman
a blacksmith, and Wash. Gilbert a wagon-maker. Chestnut Ridge Lodge No.
499, F. & A. M., has about fifteen members, and Chestnut Ridge Lodge,
No. 157, I. O. O. F., has nearly fifty members. There is a church near
by.

Booneville, received its name from Capt. Nathan Boone. Musgraves and
Shofner, and J. E. Reese are merchants. It is about three miles from Mulberry
Village. Blanche was first known by postoffice as Pleasant Plains. Samuel
Parker was the first postmaster, and W. W. Petty the first merchant in
1849. It began to assume the proportions of a village after the war, and
is now a pleasant and thriving little town. Dr. J. C. Coasts is the merchant
and physician. There is located here Pleasant Plains Lodge, No. 305, F.
& A. M. , and a church. There are several county stores near by.

Smithland was known as George s Store until 1884. At first the postoffice
was on the north side of Elk River, having been established about 1840.
It was moved to Arnold s grocery about 1850, and there Smithland has been
built. This was a notorious fighting place. Taylor & McLaughlin and
R. Smith are the present merchants. An I. O. O. F. Lodge, Sereno No. 195,
is located at Smithland.

Camargo was established in 1849 and was a flourishing village prior
to the war. John Caughran was the first merchant. Others have been Nicks
& Webb, J. N. & W. A. Stallings, Wm. Ashworth, Samuel Dehaven and
J. A. Corn.

Lincoln is settled mainly by northern people who went to that place
after the war. J. F. Montgomery, J. R. McCown, J. E. Ramsey and J. C. McClellan
have been merchants there. In 1887 ____ Crosby started a small spinning
Factory at Oregon. In 1839 it was bought by Henry Warren, was afterward
operated by H. & T. K. Warren, and is now operated by Henry Warren
& Son. This factory has about 1,000 spindles, a cotton-gin and a flouring
and grist-mill attached, being an investment of about $20,000 capital.
Oregon is three and once-half miles from Flintville, its shipping point.
It has a Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Elora was formerly known as Baxter Station, and only dates its beginning
since the building of the Fayetteville & Decherd Branch Railroad. It
is in the southeast corner of one now existing from Fayetteville to Decherd.
J. B. Hamilton and W. M. Parker & Co. Are the merchants.

Flintville, twelve miles from Fayetteville, on the Nashville & Chattanooga
Railroad, has sprung into existence since the building of that road. The
first merchants were Cunningham & Myrick; J. A. Grills was the first
blacksmith; Peter Cunningham put a grist-mill, and then he and L. P. Myrick
engaged in distilling. The town was all destroyed by the Federals the time
of the war. Since the war merchandising has been carried on by D. M. &
J. C. Mimms & Knowles, D. M. Mimms, Kilpatrick & Co., Merrit &
Golden (saloon), Chas. Kelley, D. M. & W. G. Mimms, Richard Routt,
A. Smith, Peter Cunningham, Brady & Hall, Henry Warren & Son, and
Chick & Eslick. J. W. Cooper & J. J. Coston have been blacksmiths
and wagon-makers, and Joseph Richardson, a saddler; E. J. Cambron is a
carriage and cabinet-maker; Tolley, Eaton and Sims have run distilleries,
and Copeland & Co. Now have a large distillery. They also have a good
mill. John Young also has a mill. Surprise Lodge, No. 153, I. O. O. F.,
is located there with sixteen members. There are four church organizations
at Flintville.

The attention of the early pioneers was required by almost everything
before it was given to means of educating the children. This most important
subject was not long entirely neglected, for those who had sufficient education
taught short terms of school at the different private residences early
in the teens. After a time, by agreement, the settlers would meet to build
a schoolhouse in the different localities. These buildings were of logs,
with a door in one end and a fire-place in the other, not all of them had
fire-places, and those that them generally allowed the escape of the smoke
through a large hole in the roof, there being no chimneys to them. This
was the condition of the schoolhouses even through the twenties. The seats
were made of poles split open, supported on legs about three feet long,
and with the flat side up. Light was admitted through an aperture made
by leaving out one log along the sides of the building. A bench or plank
for writing was supported on pins driven in the log just beneath the window.
The roofs of these primitive institutions of learning were of boards held
to their place by weight poles. Each pupil took whatever book he could
find. Some studied the Life of Washington, others the Life of Marion, and
a few would take a Clarion {the paper then published at Nashville}
to school, and learn from that. These were pay-schools, the tuition being
from 75 cents to $1 per pupil for one month. Various were the rules and
requirements of these schools. Each teacher had new rules. An invariable
custom was to make the teacher treat or take a duckin on Christmas and
at the close of school. If a mischievous boy passing the schoolhouse desired
to be chased at a lively rate it was only necessary for him to yell out
school butter, when the teacher would say to his pupils: Take him in, boys.
Reading and writing were the main branches taught, and arithmetic was sometimes
taught. Pupils recited one at a time. They were by most teachers allowed
to seek the out-door, pure atmosphere in fair weather to prepare their
lessons. Prior to 1820 {probably as early as 1815} the Fayette Academy
was established. This was a county academy, and derived its support from
a State fund. The building became untenable about 1854, and the new building
just then erected by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was to be used
by Milton College, which did not materialize, was purchased, and Fayette
Academy continued for some years, and then sold the building to the county
school commissioners.

The Fayetteville Female Collegiate Institute began its existence almost
as early as the Fayetteville Academy. The land was donated by James Bright.
This institution is under the control of a company and board of trustees.
The building first used was torn down in 1884 to give place to the present
splendid brick building. The enrollment for the past year was about 220
pupils. Although it, by name, is known as a female school, both sexes are
admitted.

The Mulberry Female Academy was established in 1830 and existed as such
until 1869, when it was consolidated with the Mulberry Male Academy, and
since the institution thus formed, has prospered under the name of the
Mulberry Male and Female Academy. The Mulberry Male Academy was formed
and put in working order in 1844.

Viney Grove Academy was founded by the Rev. Henry Bryson and conducted
with great success by him for many years. This once ranked with the standard
educational institutions of the South, but it has died away. It was five
miles west of Fayetteville. Boonshill Academy has existed since before
the war. The building is a nice brick house, and good schools are taught
there.

The Petersburg Masonic Academy was founded by that fraternity in 1858
and is taught in the lowest story of the brick Masonic Hall at Petersburg.
Oak Hill Institute flourished from 1865 to 1880 with considerable success.
The building is frame. Nixon Springs Academy, near Smithland, was a good
institution from 1875 to 1880. Hopewell Academy at Lincoln was endowed
by the United Presbyterian Church and is a well-conducted school. Greenwood
Academy, between Mulberry and Booneville, was established in the fifties,
and has a brick building. Cane Creek Academy, at Howell, also has a brick
building and is comparatively a new institution.

The public school of Lincoln County are gaining is favor, but are yet
in their infancy. There are eighty-two public school in the county for
white, and thirty-one for colored people. There are but eighty-four public
school buildings, but school is taught in other buildings. The buildings
are as follows: Stone and brick, 3; frame, 47; log, 34; total, 84. Value
of school buildings is estimated at $23,460. And the value of apparatus,
etc., at $1,570. The scholastic population of the county for this year
is 9,912, and the amount of school fund, at $1.75, per capita, is $17.346.

As in all new countries, the first settlers of this section were more
accustomed to the sound of the hunting horn and chasing hound than to pulpit
oratory on the Sabbath. However, many good Christian people were among
the first pioneers, and they established Scripture readings, and even preached
sermons at the different private residences. Early services were held in
the court house, and not unfrequently did people assemble at some designated
place in the woods to hear a sermon.

In 1811 the earthquake shock which was so sensible felt here was by
many regarded as the approach of the Last Great Day, and consequently many
accessions to the Christian flock were made. For a considerable time big
meetings were held, and a great revival was experienced, but after a time
the lull in the tide came, the spirit of the meetings died down. Yet there
was a good work being done by some of the good Christian people. As early
as 1808 a church was organized at the Forks of Mulberry, and it is a Primitive
Baptist organization. Hardy Holman was the first pastor. In about 1812
the Shiloh congregation was organized by the same denomination. Other churches
of this {the Primitive or old-school Baptist} denomination, are Concord,
which was organized prior to 1820; Mount Olivet, probably organized in
the twenties; New Hope, a small congregation, but an old one; Kelly Creek,
which began existence in the forties. Pleasant Grove; Rocky Point; Bethel;
and Buckeye, which was organized as late as 1866 with a membership of nineteen
and now has 165 members. Nearly all of these churches are in a good condition
and prospering.

In the fall of 1812 the Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville was organized
with the Rev. John Gillespie as pastor. The first elders were David Turner,
Andrew Hannah, Francis Patton, John Armstrong and Ebenezer McEwen. Private
members were Peggy Hannah, Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Patton, Mrs. Turner, Peggie
Gillespie, Mary McEwen, Elizabeth Ferguson, John B. Alexander and Barbara
Alexander. Subsequent pastors of this church have been John R. Bain, James
McLinn, Amzi Bradshaw, E. McMillan, M. M. Marshall, W. C. Dunlap, D.D.,
George Hall, A. D. McClure, J. H. Bryson, W. H. Groves and R. M. DuBose.
The present membership is 105. First worship was in the court house; afterward
an edifice was built, which was destroyed by a storm in 1851, and then
the present one was erected. Other Presbyterian Churches of the county
are: Unity, eight miles from Fayetteville, organized about 1829, and now
having a membership of about forty; Petersburg, organized May 5, 186,.
And now having about forty members; Swan Creek , organized as early as
1830, now having a membership of fifty; and Young s Chapel, with a membership
of twenty-five, and having existed only since 1870. One other church, by
the name of Old Unity, once existed, but is now extinct.

Bethel Church of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian denomination was
organized 1830 by Rev. H. Bryson, who continued as its pastor until his
death in 1874, and was superseded by Rev. A. S. Sloan, the present pastor.
There are three other churches in the county of that denomination known
as the New Hope, Prosperity and Pleasant Plains.

Early in 1829 a camp-meeting was held near Fayetteville by distant workers
in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Great success blessed this meeting
and an organization of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville
was accomplished the same year. Rev. S. M. Cowan was the first pastor,
continuing many years, and under him the church multiplied in numbers and
strengthened in good work. Subsequent ministers have been Herschel S. Porter,
W. D. Chaddick, D. D. , Stokely Chaddick, S. M. Cowen, again M. B. DeWitt,
____McElree, Nat Powers, C. P. Duvall, ____ McDonald and J. S. Weaver.
Among the first members were Benjamin Clements and wife, William Norris
and wife, Benjamin Wear and wife, S. O. Griffs and wife, George Stonebraker
and wife, Jacob Stonebraker and wife and Dr. Charles McKinney and wife.

Cane Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1817 by Rev.
R. Donel, and now has 138 members. J. B. Tiger has been its pastor for
twenty-five years, and in its seventy years of existence the church has
never been without a pastor, although but five men have served as pastors.
There are thirteen other Cumberland Presbyterian Churches in the county,
viz.: Mulberry, with a membership of about 50; Mount Zion, organized by
Rev. D. Tucker about eight years ago; Hebron, an old church with about
125 members; New Unity, with 100 members; Petersburg, with about 70 members;
New Salem, and old church, with a membership of about 75; Pisgah, organized
about 1856, and now having about 40 members; Liberty, organized about 1878,
present membership about 50; Sulphur Spring, with 75 members, built and
supported by Henry Warren for his factory hands; Moore s Chapel, a young
congregation of about 100; Elkton, a small congregation; Flintville, a
new congregation with a small membership; and New Lebanon, about twelve
years old and having a large membership.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Fayetteville was organized prior to
1829. Rev. Joshua Kilpatrick was its pastor that year. Present membership
is 162. The present church building was erected about 1846. The other Methodist
Episcopal Churches South and their approximate memberships are follows:
Shady Grove, 100; Lloyd s Chapel, 75; Providence, Beech Grove, Union and
Boonville, 331; Petersburg, __; Macedonia, Hermon, Flintville and Liberty,
350; Medium and Moore Chapel, 263; Mulberry, 90; Shiloh, 100; Dellrose,
__; Blanche, Smith s Chapel, Shiloh and Ebenezer, __; and New Bethel, a
new organization. This denominations is in a prosperous condition.

The Christians have nine organizations. They are as follows: Fayetteville,
which was organized in 1865 and now has a membership of about 75; Gun Spring,
Philadelphia, Friendship, Chestnut Ridge, Mulberry, Antioch, one on Lane
s Branch, and one at McAlister s chair factory.

The Hard Shell Baptist have small congregations--Mount Carmel and Sulphur
Springs.

The Protestant Episcopal Church of Fayetteville is the only one of that
denomination in the county. It was organized in 1882 and in 1883 was built
the elegant little stone edifice which is used for worship.

The first organization of the United Presbyterian Church in Tennessee
was Lebanon Church in this county. It was organized September 15, 1865,
by Rev. A. S. Montgomery. The church building cost about $2,000 and the
present membership is 145. Other organizations of that name are Hopewell
and Pisgah.

The Missionary Baptists also have a number of congregations in the county.
They have an organization at Fayetteville, but no church house.